Off topic - trees that aren't for felling

Square_peg · Jan 30, 2014

It's that time of year again, maple sugaring time. Time to set aside the axe the put the drill to your local trees. Anyone else here make maple syrup?

We don't have sugar maples here in the NW but we have an abundance of Oregon big leaf maples. The sap isn't as sweet so you have to boil off more water to get the syrup. But our syrup is as tasty as any.

Sullie · Jan 30, 2014

I thought this was done in the spring? Or that's when my inlaws do it, maybe it's different for different climates or types of Maple trees?
Nice big Maples ya got there!
They boil it down for the syrup but I prefer to drink the fresh Maple water...ever just drink it?

Win3855 · Jan 30, 2014

Here in Maine the season is more like March-April-May. We have a while to go to dig out pails and taps. We are still wading in waist deep in snow..........I live in the mountains not .....Maple Valley!!!! So yes I do make maple syrup. Come on freezing nights and warming days.

Square_peg · Jan 30, 2014

Win3855 said:
Come on freezing nights and warming days.

That's the key exactly. We get that weather earlier here in Western Washington than you do back east. I tapped Jan. 1st. We've had good weather for maple sugaring. I just make a small amount for personal use. Monetarily it's not worth the effort. But I enjoy it. It's something to do. And friends appreciate a hand made gift.

Square_peg · Jan 30, 2014

Sullie said:
They boil it down for the syrup but I prefer to drink the fresh Maple water...ever just drink it?

I'll take a sip sometimes. Even thought it's mostly water you still taste a little bit of maple in it. And if you needed fresh water in a pinch it would certainly suffice.

Sullie · Jan 30, 2014

Square_peg said:
I'll take a sip sometimes. Even thought it's mostly water you still taste a little bit of maple in it. And if you needed fresh water in a pinch it would certainly suffice.

A bit of maple and a little woody tasting...maybe it's associating the taste with the warmer weather to come more than the actual flavour but I always enjoy a pitcher or two. And I don't got much of a sweet tooth.

Good post, thanks for sharing!

Alocksly · Jan 30, 2014

I didn't know you could make syrup from bigleaf maple sap. I've got a bunch of 'em on my place; I'll have to give it a try.

halfaxe · Jan 30, 2014

I do about 1100 taps mostly by myself. Still a month away here.

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300Six · Jan 30, 2014

Nice pictures and lovely piece of property halfaxe! Oh for the sound of an axe cleaving a piece of seasoned hardwood, the heavenly smell of wood smoke and the lull of a crackling fire. I see that you're practical and have hooked up a plastic tubing sap collection system.
Within reason you can tap darn near anything for syrup but the amount of boiling-off is lowest for Sugar Maples. When I was a kid we used to tap the White Birches and the Red Maples around the house, only because there were no Sugar Maples or Yellow Birches and I don't remember there being anything evil about the taste of the end products. But did take a lot of sap (buckets and buckets!) to produce so much as a coffee cup of syrup.

Don W · Jan 31, 2014

Wow halfaxe that is a serious set up. Very impressive.

halfaxe · Jan 31, 2014

Don W said:
Wow halfaxe that is a serious set up. Very impressive.

Thanks, Like Square Peg says, monetarily it doesn't add up. Making syrup just got in my system and I went a little overboard. I love doing it. 300six some maple producers are tapping birches too since the birch trees run after the maple but after maple season I am glad it's over for another year.

Square_peg · Jan 31, 2014

That's awesome, Halfaxe! You've got the whole sugar shack setup and the land to feed it. Great wood-fired evaporator, too.

mc556 · Feb 3, 2014

I have some Birch and Maple Trees ...
If I were to tap them what would be the proper time of year in South Carolina?

I had never thought about doing it but I always like to learn something new

300Six · Feb 3, 2014

mc556 said:
I have some Birch and Maple Trees ...
If I were to tap them what would be the proper time of year in South Carolina?

I had never thought about doing it but I always like to learn something new

I don't know what kind of winter (ie pendulum freeze/thaw) you folks get but if you drill a few test holes (ie make a small wound with a nail or drill bit) in your trees you'll quickly learn (via fluid staining of the bark and/or dripping sap) when and whether they suddenly decide to send bountiful sap up from the roots. Far as I know the optimal circumstances for collecting concentrated sugary sap are when night time temperatures involve 'real good' frost and day time temperatures soar above freezing, and preferably sunny. If you're into this for volume or commercial reasons forget it but if it's all for fun just make sure the trees you tap have no conifer needles and that the sap itself is palatable before you begin.

Square_peg · Feb 4, 2014

300Six said:
Far as I know the optimal circumstances for collecting concentrated sugary sap are when night time temperatures involve 'real good' frost and day time temperatures soar above freezing, and preferably sunny.

That's it exactly. When it warms up above freezing all day and night then the sap shut downs. Likewise when the temps don't warm up above freezing during the day the sap doesn't flow. Low 20's at night with low to mid 40's during the day seems to really get it flowing for me. And sunshine tends to warm things more quickly. The temperature change creates pressure in the sap wood.

chuxwan · Feb 5, 2014

What a killer setup half axe! I'm enchanted; it's a life dream of mine to have some land with some maples. Down here it's just red maple for me, and I'm poor so I'll be tapping trees all over town. The red maple has maybe one percent sugar so I'm thinking of making wine with it instead of boiling it down. Anyone have recipes?

halfaxe · Feb 6, 2014

chuxwan said:
What a killer setup half axe! I'm enchanted; it's a life dream of mine to have some land with some maples. Down here it's just red maple for me, and I'm poor so I'll be tapping trees all over town. The red maple has maybe one percent sugar so I'm thinking of making wine with it instead of boiling it down. Anyone have recipes?

Thanks, it's been a 30 year project and progression. I know quite a few people make syrup out of just red maple. Give it a shot.

Square_peg · Feb 6, 2014

One of my best trees is a red maple. Figure boiling it down about 40:1.

chuxwan · Feb 6, 2014

I tried it last year, but a couple gallons yielded only a few ounces of syrup. It was super delicious though.